Birmingham vs Derby County preview - Rowett keen to strengthen

Birmingham will assess the fitness of Michael Morrison and Jon Toral ahead of the visit of Derby.

The pair have tight hamstrings following the 2-2 draw at Burnley last week, with Gary Rowett hopeful they will feature.

The boss is also eager to bring in two new players, although he may not make signings before they face the Rams.

He told the official club website: "We're looking again to strengthen. We're looking to bring another in fairly soon, but they've got to be the right players."

Derby head coach Paul Clement has seen his central midfield options further diminished for the trip to St Andrew's.

Jeff Hendrick (dead leg) and Jamie Hanson (concussion) have both been ruled out of Friday night's fixture with the injuries that forced their substitutions against Middlesbrough in midweek.

Clement is already without Will Hughes for six months and Craig Bryson for four weeks after they suffered knee injuries at Bolton on the opening day of the season.

Johnny Russell, whose goal from the bench earned Derby a point against Boro, is pushing strongly for a recall along with the likes of Darren Bent.